The SEC, Quebec Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced a comprehensive arrangement to facilitate their supervision of regulated entities that operate across the U.S.-Canadian border. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is intended to provide a clear mechanism for consultation, cooperation, and exchange of information among the SEC, AMF and OSC in the context of supervision. The MOU sets forth the terms and conditions for the sharing of information about regulated entities, such as broker-dealers and investment advisers, which operate in the U.S., Quebec and Ontario.

The SEC, AMF and OSC have a long history of cooperation particularly in securities enforcement matters. This MOU would extend this cooperation beyond enforcement by setting forth a framework for consultation, cooperation and information-sharing related to the day-to-day supervision and oversight of regulated entities. In response to the recent financial crisis, the Task Force and many other groups, including the G20, have recommended that regulators enhance the supervision of internationally-active regulated entities by working with their foreign counterparts.

This MOU is the first comprehensive supervisory MOU to be signed by the SEC since the start of the financial crisis. The SEC currently has comprehensive supervisory MOUs with the securities regulators in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.